Leppert endorses Dewhurst

Tom Leppert, the former Dallas mayor who finished third in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Kay Bailey Hutchison, endorsed David Dewhurst following Tuesday’s night debate.

“Our economy is struggling with millions of Americans out of work and many more worried about their jobs,” Leppert said in a press release. “In addition, we have a fiscal situation that has brought us literally to the brink. Far too many of our elected representatives in Washington simply do not have the experience of working in the private sector. They have not created jobs or balanced budgets. Simply said, they do not understand how the economy works.”

Leppert attracted slightly more moderate primary voters than Dewhurst and certainly more moderate than tea party favorite Ted Cruz. If the Leppert folks vote at all in the July 31 runoff, they’re likely to go for Dewhurst.

In his statement, Leppert took a backhand swipe at Cruz, a former state solicitor general who’s never held elective office.

“We must elect leaders who have the experience of creating jobs and dealing with the fiscal issues facing our nation – leaders with a practical understanding of what makes our country work,” he said. “David Dewhurst has that experience and it is for that reason that I endorse David Dewhurst for the U.S. Senate. David has created jobs and understands the private sector. He has proven his leadership skills in the private and public sectors and will be an asset to Texas in Washington.”

Dewhurst also took a swipe at Cruz, the attorney and champion debater.

“The skills necessary to fight for our country’s economy were instilled in me in the boardroom, not the courtroom,” he said after thanking Leppert for his support. “And the strength necessary to fight for country’s freedom was instilled in me in boot camp, not debate camp.”